Liquid dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispensing apparatus for the simultaneous filling of a plurality of containers. A funnel housing placed over the containers has depending funnel members, each being positioned over a separate container for filling same with a premeasured quantity of liquid.

United States Patent Cates, Jr. 1 May 23, 1972 [54] LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE 745,051. ll/ 1903 Goff 141/237 [72] Inventor: izhnt D. Cams;l Jr; 6312.33 Bennett Drive, Primary Emminer RObert Reeves on gomery Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon, Jr. [22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1970 AttomeyPolachek & Saulsbury [21] Appl. No.: 25,830 ABSTRACT [52] vs C 141/238 A liquid dispensing apparatus for the simultaneous filling of a [51] 3/06 plurality of containers. A funnel housing placed over the con- 58 Field of Search................III4I/59"5";6 244 245 mine has dfilmclmg funnel members being Psitined 141/247. 222/160 i. 25 i over a separate container for filling same with a premeasured quantity of liquid.

[56] References Clted 4 Cl 11 Drawing figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,360,023 11/1920 Risser ..141/245 PATENTEDMAY23 I972 3. 664. 387

sum 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. JOHN D. CATES JR.

Z\\ BY v E 4 7 LIQUID DISPENSING DEVICE This invention relates to liquid dispensing devices, more particularly to a device for the simultaneous filling of a pluralitv of containers such as glasses, with a liquid, such as water or wine.

The dispensing device of this invention was developed as a labor saving apparatus and to satisfy the need wherein it is necessary to fill a number of individual glasses, such as those to be filled with wine in religious communion services. However, the application of this device is not so limited and it will be equally useful in hotel or restaurant operations wherein numerous containers, such as those used for serving water, juice, cream, etc., may be quickly and efficiently filled. Furthermore, the dispensing device will likewise be useful for filling large numbers of jars or bottles such as those used in the canning industry or for filling test tubes in laboratories. Generally, the dispensing device will serve as a labor saving expedient applicable whenever there is a time consuming job of filling numerous containers with premeasured quantities of the same liquid. An alternate embodiment of this device which will be described more fullv herein, provides for a multiplicity of simultaneous container fillings with each filling of the dispenser. The instant invention will also guarantee that a premeasured quantity of liquid will be discharged into each container. This is a significant improvement over prior art devices such as those wherein a plurality of nipple valves are used to fill individual containers and must be held in an open position during the filling operation with apparent uncertaintv in gauging equal amounts of discharge for each container filling.

The invention also incorporates sealing means for controlling the discharge of the liquid and for providing an air tight seal prior to the actual discharge into the individual containers.

The liquid dispensing device comprises basically a base member for holding a plurality of containers and an open vessel forming a funnel housing arranged to be positionable over the said containers. A plurality of funnel members corresponding in number to the containers and depending from the housing, extend into the containers. The funnel members are designed to be of a size and shape that will hold a premeasured quantitv of liquid. Drainage valve means are provided for removing excess liquid from the housing. An alternate embodiment incorporates a slide valve for determining the premeasured quantity to be discharged into the container and also for permitting multiple container fillings from a single quantity of liquid in a funnel member.

It is an object, therefore of this invention to provide a liquid dispensing device capable of simultaneously filling a pluralitv of containers.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device which will dispense a premeasured quantity of liquid at each filling.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which will permit a multiplicitv of container fillings with each quantity of liquid placed in a dispenser.

. The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing device taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the liquid level after it has been filled.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing device after the drainage valve has been opened and the excess liquid removed.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing part of the devicewith the funnel housing being in the raised position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the funnel housing taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4 and shows the valve housing and cross member affixed to the valve stem for holding the valve in an open position.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment having drainage means incorporating a tubular outlet and stopper.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment having a slide valve disposed within the funnel member for permitting a multiplicity of fillings.

FIG. 9 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 wherein the funnel housing is in a raised position and the slide valve is in its rest position sealing the funnel member after the discharge of a premeasured quantity of liquid.

FIG. 10 is a view of the funnel housing handle taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 and showing the slotted opening therein.

FIG. 11 is a view ofthe slide valve.

The liquid dispensing device shown generally by reference numeral 1, is composed of a funnel housing 2 which is slidablv mounted over a base member 3. The funnel housing and base member may be made typically of plastic, fiberglass, aluminum or other durable material. It should be obvious that the particular liquid to be dispensed may also influence the material selected for the construction of the dispenser. The base member 3 has recessed areas 4 which serve as positioning means for holding a pluralitv of containers or glasses 5 in a fixed position and conforming to a desired pattern. In the embodiment illustrated herein, 36 such glasses are positioned in the base member for filling. The base member 3, additionally has means for slidably supporting the funnel housing and as shown includes an upstanding shaft support 6 placed on opposite sides of the base. The support has a bore 7 for slidably accommodating an alignment shaft 8 attached to a handle 9 of the funnel housing 2. This mounting arrangement will permit the funnel housing to be raised or lowered over the base and will insure that the funnel members 10 will also be aligned with a corresponding container.

The funnel housing will now be further described with respect to the funnel members 10, which depend from a bottom wall 11 of the housing for filling a corresponding container placed therebeneath. Additionally, each funnel member has an entry port 12 and a raised portion or lip 13 surrounding said port. The height of this lip will determine the volume of liquid that will be retained in the funnel member after the excess liquid is drained from the funnel housing in a manner to be subsequently described. This volume can be predetermined so that measured quantities of liquid can be dispensed. This size and shape of the funnel member will also be a volume determining factor and the funnel can be constructed with suitable dimensions for particular applications.

Since the funnel housing should be drained to remove excess liquid above the raised portion of the funnel, appropriate drainage means are provided as illustrated. The drainage may be accomplished by providing a tubular outlet 14 for accommodating a stopper 15 as shown in FIG. 7. The stopper, typically made of cork, when removed from the outlet, will permit the excess liquid to drain into the reservoir 16.

A more sophisticated valve arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 wherein an aperture 17 is provided in the bottom wall of the housing and adapted to provide a valve seat for a valve member 18 of a plunger valve 19. The valve member is operated by a valve stem 20. In order to hold the valve member in the open position as shown in FIG. 3, a cross member 21 has been attached to the lower end of the stem 20. This cross member will normally be positioned below a valve housing 22 when the valve member is in a closed position. However, when it is desired to open the valve and drain the liquid, the stem is moved upward through the opening 23 formed in the valve housing and past radially inwardly extending portions or catch members 24 in the valve housing opening as best shown in FIG. 6. The stem 20 may have to be rotated a quarter turn to clear these catch members; however, once the cross member is inside the valve housing the stem 20 is then rotated so that the cross member 21 will contact the catch members 24, thus securing same within the valve housing thereby retaining the stern and valve member in a raised position. A reservoir 16 may also be positioned in the base member directly below the drainage valve.

It has been found that for the successful operation of the dispenser, it is essential that control be maintained over the volume of liquid that escapes from the discharge ports of the funnel members 10. This control is maintained by means of a sealing gasket 26, preferably made of rubber or similar material, and interposed between the bottom wall 11 of the housing and a rim 27 of the container to provide an air tight seal between the discharge port of each funnel and its respective container. The importance of said seal will be most evident when considering the filling operation. As the liquid is poured into the funnel housing, the fluid will flow into each of the funnels; since the discharge port 25 of the funnel 10 and the bottom surface 28 of the container are spaced apart, a quantity of liquid will also flow into the container and displace some of the air therein as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, as the liquid in the container reaches a certain level, typically indicated as 29 in FIG. 2, the air pressure in the sealed remaining portion of the container will become equal to the pressure of the rising liquid and prevent further flow. This quantity of liquid in the bottom of the container will naturally be taken into consideration when computing the premeasured amount ofliquid to be discharged from the funnel.

Another sealing arrangement will be described with reference to FIG. 7, wherein a gasket 30 is affixed around the discharge port 25 of the funnel member and interposed between said port and the bottom surface 28, of the container. This alternate sealing arrangement will prevent any of the liquid from escaping from the funnel during the filling of the dispenser.

The operation of the dispensing device will now be detailed. The glasses or other containers are first positioned in the recessed areas 4 of the base member 3 according to the particular pattern established. The funnel housing 2 is then lowered by sliding same within the shaft support 6 such that the funnel members are extended into the glasses and the sealing means will effectively prevent the How of liquid out of the funnel discharge port 25. Next, the drainage valve is closed, either by placing the stopper in the open end of the tubular outlet or as the case may be, by exerting a downward pressure on the plunger valve so as to firmly seat the valve. The liquid is then poured into the housing taking care to insure that each funnel is properly filled and that the fluid level is up to or above the raised portion or lip at the funnel entry port. The funnel housing is then drained to remove excess liquid by either removing the stopper or by exerting an upward force on the plunger valve to unseat the valve. The valve may be retained in this open position if the cross member is moved through the valve housing aperture and rotated to insure that the cross member abuts against the catch therein to hold the stem and valve in this raised position. The funnel housing is now raised by pulling upwardly on the handles 9 of the housing, and the premeasured contents of each funnel member will be automatically discharged into its respective container. The filled containers can be removed and another set so positioned for repetition of this operation.

A slightly modified version will now be discussed with respect to FIGS. 8-11. The funnel housing 2 and base member 3 will be fundamentally unchanged, however a sliding valve 31 is introduced and disposed within the funnel member 10. The sliding valve is comprised of a stem portion 32 which may be formed of several sections screwed together or otherwise joined as shown at 33, to provide for an adjustable stem length. At opposite ends of the stem 32 valve elements 34 and 35 are affixed, each element having a sealing gasket 36 as illustrated in FIG. 11. When the funnel housing is in its lowered position (see FIG. 8) during the filling of the dispenser, the valve element 35 will seal the discharge port 25 of the funnel to prevent escape of the liquid. When the housing is raised, the slide valve 31, under the force of gravitv, will slide downwardly and assume the position shown in FIG. 9 wherein the valve element 34 now reseals the discharge port 25. The time duration of the sliding movement is calibrated by adjustment of the stem length, to control the amount of liquid discharged through the port prior to the rescaling of same by valve element 34. The set of containers thus filled can be removed and another set of containers so positioned in the base; thereby permitting another filling with the liquid remaining in the funnel.

This embodiment also provides means for holding the funnel housing 2 in the raised position. A flexible shaft 37 attached to the base 3 is adapted to engage the handle 9 and to pass through a slotted opening 38 in said handle. In actual practice at least two such handles and shafts are required. The shaft further has a stop member 39 affixed thereto at a height sufficient to permit the sliding valve 31 to clear the container. This stop will be of such dimension so as to be able to pass through the slotted hole 38 to enable the funnel housing to be raised above the stop. Thereafter the shaft may be urged from its position shown in broken lines in FIG. 9, toward one side of the slotted opening so that the upper surface 40 of the stop will engage the handle when positioned above the stop. To again lower the funnel housing the shaft is urged back to its original position wherein the stop is centrally aligned and will pass through the slotted opening as the housing is lowered.

In operation, the funnel housing is first moved to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 8 so that the funnel members will extend into the containers and the valve element 35 will rest against the bottom wall 38 of the container 5 and seal the discharge port 25. The funnel housing is then filled and drained in a manner similar to that previouslv described with respect to the other embodiments. The housing is then grasped b the handles and quickly but steadily raised above the containers to permit the slide valve to assume the lowered position wherein the valve element 34 reseals the discharge port 25. If desired, the housing can be locked in this raised position by engaging the stop member 39 under the handle 9. The filled containers can then be removed and another set of containers positioned below the funnels. The housing can then be again lowered. It will be apparent that when the slide valve 31 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 9 back to the position shown in FIG. 8, a quantity of liquid is discharged; however, this quantity can be determined empirically or otherwise and taken into consideration when computing the premeasured quantities.

It is noted that flowable solids, such as sugar, salt, flour, etc., could be dispensed by this type of apparatus to fill a plurality of solid containers, flexible containers, or the combination thereof.

The above cited embodiments are intended as exemplary, and while they have described the invention with a specific implementation and embodiment, other modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid dispensing device for the simultaneous filling of a plurality of open rimmed containers with a premeasured quantitv of liquid, said device comprising a base member for supporting the containers, a funnel housing including slidable mounting means for attaching the funnel housing to the base member, said funnel housing further having a plurality of funnel members corresponding to the number of containers and adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of liquid, drainage means for removing excess liquid from the funnel housing, sealing means for preventing premature discharge of the liquid from the funnel members, said slidable mounting means including an alignment shaft extending from the housing and a shaft support affixed to the base and defining therein a bore for slidably accommodating said shaft, said drainage means comprising aperture-defining structure defining an aperture in said funnel housing, said aperture-defining structure serving as a valve seat, a valve member for cooperative action with said valve seat, and valve opening means for holding said valve in an unseated position so as to drain excess liquid from within the funnel housing.

including sealing means comprising a gasket affixed around the discharge port and interposed between said port and the bottom wall of the container during filling of the funnel member.

4. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing means comprises a gasket afiixed to the bottom wall of the funnel housing and interposed between the rim of the container and the said housing wall during the filling of the funnel. 

1. A liquid dispensing device for the simultaneous filling of a plurality of open rimmed containers with a premeasured quantity of liquid, said device comprising a base member for supporting the containers, a funnel housing including slidable mounting means for attaching the funnel housing to the base member, said funnel housing further having a plurality of funnel members corresponding to the number of containers and adapted to hold a predetermined quantity of liquid, drainage means for removing excess liquid from the funnel housing, sealing means for preventing premature discharge of the liquid from the funnel members, said slidable mounting means including an alignment shaft extending from the housing and a shaft support affixed to the base and defining therein a bore for slidably accommodating said shaft, said drainage means comprising aperture-defining structure defining an aperture in said funnel housing, said aperture-defining structure serving as a valve seat, a valve member for cooperative action with said valve seat, and valve opening means for holding said valve in an unseated position so as to drain excess liquid from within the funnel housing.
 2. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, further including a valve housing adjacent said aperture, a valve stem extending through said aperture and valve housing for holding and positioning said valve member, and a cross member positioned on the stem and adapted to lockingly engage the valve housing to thus maintain the valve member in an unseated position.
 3. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the funnel member defines a discharge port in confronting relationship with the bottom wall of the container and further including sealing means comprising a gasket affixed around the discharge port and interposed between said port and the bottom wall of the container during filling of the funnel member.
 4. A liquid dispensing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing means comprises a gasket affixed to the bottom wall of the funnel housing and interposed between the rim of the container and the said housing wall during the filling of the funnel. 